The Ultimate Building a Patio Quiz

If you think building a concrete patio sounds like a big job, you're right. Know what's involved before you start this big do-it-yourself job. Take this quiz to see how well you know how to build a patio.

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Question 1 of 20

To build a nine foot square (7.5sqm) concrete patio, about how many days will it take?

one-half day

one day

two days or more

Allow at least two days.

Question 2 of 20

What type of ground is best for a patio?

level

well drained

both answers

Level and well drained land is best suited for a patio?

Question 3 of 20

For best results, which direction should the patio site slope?

no slope

away from the home

The site should slope slightly away from the home.

toward the home

Question 4 of 20

For the patio grid, how big should each unit of poured concrete be?

two-foot square

three-foot square

Each unit of poured concrete should be three-foot square.

five-foot square

Question 5 of 20

How deep should the gravel base be?

two inches

three inches

For the base, use three inches (7.5cm).

five inches

Question 6 of 20

How deep should the concrete be?

two inches

four inches

Pour each unit of concrete to a depth of about four inches.

six inches

Question 7 of 20

To frame the patio, what type of lumber should be used?

pressure-treated ground-contact

To prevent rot, use pressure-treated, ground-contact lumber.

untreated

neither answer

Question 8 of 20

Why should you use machine-mixed concrete?

stronger

Machine-mixed concrete is stronger than hand-mixed concrete.

less bubbling

nicer color

Question 9 of 20

What is the most convenient way to machine-mix the concrete?

rent

If you rent a portable mixer, you may decide when to mix the concrete, and renting is much cheaper than buying.

buy

neither answer

Question 10 of 20

How may you prevent air holes in the concrete?

Poke through with a shovel.

To prevent air holes, while spreading the cement poke through with a shovel.

Overmix the cement.

Undermix the cement.

Question 11 of 20

How many people are needed to level the surface of newly poured concrete?

one

two

You will need one assistant for this job.

five

Question 12 of 20

What tool should you use to smooth the leveled concrete?

wood float

Use a wood float to smooth the still-wet concrete.

steel trowel

shovel

Question 13 of 20

To create a nonslip surface, what should you pull across the troweled concrete surface?

damp push broom

Pull a damp push broom across the troweled surface using a light touch.

wood float

steel trowel

Question 14 of 20

How long should concrete cure?

one day

two days

one week or more

Cure the concrete for a least a week.

Question 15 of 20

What should you do during the curing period?

Wet it once a day.

Wet it twice a day.

both answers

Once or twice a day, wet down the curing concrete. To wet the concrete, use the fine spray setting on a garden hose. After every wetting, recover the concrete with a plastic covering.

Question 16 of 20

How soon after curing may you place furniture on the patio?

one day

two days

one week

Wait a least a week after the curing period to place furniture on the concrete patio.

Question 17 of 20

How long does cement need to mix in the rental mixer?

at least three minutes

time specified by rental agent

both answers

Ask the rental agent for mixing times, but mix for at least for three minutes.

Question 18 of 20

What is the easiest way to purchase concrete mix materials?

buy premixed materials

The easiest way to purchase the concrete mix materials is to buy premixed gravel-mix concrete.

mix your own materials

neither answers

Question 19 of 20

What is the least expensive way to purchase concrete mix materials?

Buy premixed materials.

Mix it yourself.

The cheapest way is to mix the ingredients yourself.

Neither answer is correct.

Question 20 of 20

Other than Portland cement and sand, what else goes into concrete mix?